Note 11 - Operating and Reporting Segments (Details) - Financial Information Relating to Segment Operations (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 698,394	$ 551,009	$ 449,929	$ 364,048	$ 591,687	$ 478,357	$ 422,998	$ 358,211	$ 2,063,380		$ 1,851,253		$ 1,485,353
Income (loss) before income taxes	35,996	15,372	(7,298)	(23,890)	33,614	10,388	(1,265)	(20,802)	20,180		21,935		(101,248)
Total interest expense, net									141,225		144,073		152,986
Total depreciation									3,417		4,712		6,223
Total net additions to operating properties and equipment									3,423		1,558		5,059
Total equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated joint ventures	4,048	211	1,067	2,571	5,234	3,690	827	2,289	7,897		12,040		5,401
Homebuilding [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									275,830		282,855		233,326
Income (loss) before income taxes									(7,517)		1,519		(4,683)
Total interest expense, net									20,940		26,163		25,507
Total depreciation									250		245		316
Total net additions to operating properties and equipment									44		388		2,944
Total equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated joint ventures									(1,302)		3,738		3,202
Homebuilding [Member] | Mid-Atlantic [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									332,719		289,303		273,080
Income (loss) before income taxes									23,897		24,388		17,262
Total interest expense, net									9,542		10,037		9,988
Total depreciation									45		283		370
Total net additions to operating properties and equipment									23		35		55
Total equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated joint ventures									6,459		5,631		155
Homebuilding [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									226,174		163,485		106,719
Income (loss) before income taxes									17,879		12,270		253
Total interest expense, net									5,354		3,737		2,994
Total depreciation									355		528		517
Total net additions to operating properties and equipment									927		279		218
Total equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated joint ventures									17		1,045		598
Homebuilding [Member] | Southeast [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									204,671		147,570		128,684
Income (loss) before income taxes									9,247		6,455		(4,828)
Total interest expense, net									7,827		5,861		5,310
Total depreciation									31		31		47
Total net additions to operating properties and equipment									59		7		30
Total equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated joint ventures									2,119		1,287		1,503
Homebuilding [Member] | Southwest [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									751,426		697,358		518,931
Income (loss) before income taxes									74,527		76,459		42,178
Total interest expense, net									20,543		16,071		15,880
Total depreciation									131		163		217
Total net additions to operating properties and equipment									39		44
Homebuilding [Member] | West [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									230,308		223,086		185,851
Income (loss) before income taxes									21,303		14,398		(3,177)
Total interest expense, net									12,619		12,960		14,416
Total depreciation									33		148		302
Total net additions to operating properties and equipment									170		19
Total equity in earnings (losses) from unconsolidated joint ventures									604		339		(57)
Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									2,021,128		1,803,657		1,446,591
Income (loss) before income taxes									139,336		135,489		47,005
Total interest expense, net									76,825		74,829		74,095
Total depreciation									845		1,398		1,769
Total net additions to operating properties and equipment									1,262		772		3,247
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									42,414		47,727		38,735
Income (loss) before income taxes									13,798		18,668		15,087
Total interest expense, net									(119)	[1]	499	[1]	553	[1]
Total depreciation									68		285		328
Total net additions to operating properties and equipment									28		6		21
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									(162)		(131)		27
Income (loss) before income taxes									(132,954)		(132,222)		(163,340)
Total interest expense, net									64,519		68,745		78,338
Total depreciation									2,504		3,029		4,126
Total net additions to operating properties and equipment									$ 2,133		$ 780		$ 1,791

[1] Financial services interest expenses are included in the Financial services lines on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the respectiverevenues and expenses sections.